Fall of Giants

Book One of the Century Trilogy

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Fall of Giants is Ken Follett's magnificent new historical epic. The first novel in The Century Trilogy, it follows the fates of five interrelated families—American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh—as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage.

Thirteen-year-old Billy Williams enters a man's world in the Welsh mining pits…. Gus Dewar, an American law student rejected in love, finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson's White House…. Two orphaned Russian brothers, Grigori and Lev Peshkov, embark on radically different paths half a world apart when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution…. Billy's sister, Ethel, a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts, takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German embassy in London….

These characters and many others find their lives inextricably entangled as, in a saga of unfolding drama and intriguing complexity, Fall of Giants moves seamlessly from Washington to St. Petersburg, from the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty. As always with Ken Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. It is destined to be a new classic.

In future volumes of The Century Trilogy, subsequent generations of the same families will travel through the great events of the rest of the 20th century, changing themselves—and the century itself. With passion and the hand of a master, Follett brings us into a world we thought we knew, but now will never seem the same again.

Exclusive interview: Ken Follett and John Lee Talk about Fall of Giants.

©2010 Kevin Follett (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A big Book, Follett''s hugely ambitious saga is a sweeping success. Ken Follett has hit another one out of the park with the initial installment of the hugely ambitious Century Trilogy. His fans will rejoice at the richness, complexity, historical sweep and simmering lust in a saga spanning the years 1911 to 1923." ( Newark Star Ledger)

"A dark novel, motivated by an unsparing view of human nature and a clear-eyed scrutiny of an ideal peace. It is not the least of Follett''s feats that the reader finishes this near 1000-page book intrigued and wanting more." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

"[Follett] meticulously reconstructs an era and leads us through the follies and occasional heroics of its protagonists real and imaginary. He is masterly in conveyers so much drama and historical information so vividly...Grippingly told, and readable to the end." ( New York Times Book Review)

Finally novel for WWI

Great stroy telling with a lot of political details and well build characters start from different backgrounds help to build up good climax. I perfer to focus more on personal suffer rather than political figures. That all said I think this is first novel I read explains how the tensions between Europe lead to WWI in simple flawless language. I think WWI still underestimated in media and literature in compared to WWII.
Excellent start for Century Triology can wait for second book.

Amazing Story!

I really enjoyed this book! it was well written and audio with exquisite I recommend this book for anyone who loves history.

WOW!! WHAT A BOOK!!! A rare five.

I absolutely loved this book and I believe it's one of the BEST books I've ever read. It felt like I was watching a movie the writing was that good.
The characters were incredible and John Lee delivered them perfectly. I can't wait to read the next book .

Fall of Giants

An excellent story with history well done. The reader did an outstanding job reading and performing characters.

Absolutely amazing

I loved this book from cover to cover. Ken Follett is awesome. I can’t explain how thrilled I am that there are three books and I still have two to go! I learned a great deal of things concerning this time period as well that are treasures. I read the Kingsbridge series first and was amazed at how different the Fall of Giants was, but it was so enjoyable to read Im not sure which is my favorite now. Ken Follett you rock!!

Excellent !

Through the use of fictional characters , excellent insight into the history of the time is gained .

Marvelous performance

Amazing story and the speaker was excellent in his voice changing between characters and accents

Ken Follett does it again!

Amazing historical fiction. The characters were well developed and story lines wonderfully intertwined. Could not put this one down. I wish the end was more than it was, but still very good.

Best Way to learn History !

I was very pleased by Fall of Giants and look forward to reading (listening to) Winter World. I'm quite familiar with the history surrounding the cause and onset of World War I. I must say this story told that story about as clearly as any text I've ever read. The entire time I listened to Fall of Giants I kept thinking how it would be a great way to teach history to people who aren't interested in it but must take it. My own children come to mind. Of course some of the explicit descriptions of sexual activity may preclude younger students from this, I think it would be apropos for college students. Great Job !

Great historical novel

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

I am a sucker for a good historical novel that transports you back to the time period portrayed by the author. The balance of upstairs and downstairs characters negotiating life pre-WWI and into the war is most enjoyable. Can't wait to see how these characters develop over books II and III. The characters connections to the historical figures of the time are entirely credible and provides the reader with some insight into life at that time.

Bravo.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

Mr. Lee narrates a great story,slipping between the male and female characters above and below stairs with great ease and seamless transitions.

Who was the most memorable character of Fall of Giants and why?

Billie Williams is my favorite downstairs character and Walter Von Ulrich is the most interesting upstairs character because he challenges many of the expected behaviors for a man of his station in life.